Clinchable snap lock fastener package

ABSTRACT

A fastener stick package comprising a plurality of separate similarly constructed fasteners cemented together in row formation in which each fastener includes a pair of clinchable work penetrating leg portions and a pair of centrally located converging arm portions integrally interconnected at their converging ends by a tip portion and at their opposite ends with relatively short, generally parallel aperture engaging portions integrally interconnected with the leg portions by transversely extending connecting portions, the arm portions having fingers struck therefrom which are integrally joined at one end adjacent the tip portion and extend therefrom to free ends adapted to engage the adjacent surface of an apertured workpiece in which the aperture wall engaging portions are engaged.

-3,375,749 4/19768 oldrenetal.

C i United States Patent n113,s67,015

[72] Inventor Edward A. Colechla 2,390,219 12/1945 LaPlace 85/49 mgl-mim RJ, 948,913 2/1910 Yener 85/49 [2l] A PPL NO- 862,778 Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer [22] Filed oct' l 1969 Attorney-Cushman, Darby and Cushman [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee Textron Inc.

Providencekl' ABSTRACT: A fastener stick package comprising a plurality of separate similarly constructed fasteners' cemented together [54] CLINCHABLE SNAP LOCK FASTENER PACKAGE in row formation in which each fastener `includes a pair of 7 Chims 4Dnwing Figs clinchable work penetrating leg portions and a pair of centrally located converging arm portions lintegrally ntercon- [52] U.S. ("l 206/56, nected at their converging ends by a tip portion and at their 85/49, 85/80 opposite ends with relatively short, generally parallel aperture [5l] Int. CI. Flb 15/08 engaging portions integrally interconnected with the leg por- [50] Field of Search 206/56 tions by transversely extending connecting portions, the arm (DF-) 85/49, 80 portions having fingers struck therefrom which are integrally joined at one end adjacent the tip portion and extend [56] References cned therefrom to free ends adapted to engage the adjacent surface UNITED STATES PATENTS of an apertured workpiece in which the aperture wall engaging portions are engaged.

' PATENTEU um 2 Ism CLINCHABLE SNAP LOCK FASTENER PACKAGE This invention relates to fastener packages and more particularly to fastener packages of the stick type made up of a plurality of separate similarly constructed fasteners cemented or otherwise secured together in row formation.

The packaged fasteners of the present invention are particularly adapted to secure together two workpieces, one of which is adapted to be penetrated by clinchable parallel leg portions of the fastener and the other of which is provided with an opening or aperture within which a locking section of the fastener is engaged and securely held by the of ends of a pair of locking fingers. n

Many installations present workpiece arrangements requiring fasteners of the type involved in the present invention, as, for example, the installation of window moulding to the window frames of automobiles and the like. In assembling workpieces of this type, it is important form an economical point of view to minimize the time required to apply the fasteners to the workpieces. This time can be minimized where the fasteners are capable of being applied by a tool operable to apply a fastener with each manual actuation thereof. Such tools are well known and normally contain a magazine for receiving a supply of fasteners capable of being fed individually during each actuation of the tool for application to the workpiece. A most convenient form of fastener package is the conventional stick formation of the type utilized in Staplers and the like. In conventional staple sticks, a plurality of separate staple elements is secured together as by cement, tape or the like in row formation, the row of staples being held longitudinally within the magazine of the stapler and fed to the stapler drive track by a spring pressed pusher engaging the trailing end thereof. In `the normal operation of the device, the leading staple of the stick is stripped from the package by a transverse movement as by engagement thereof with a driver blade. The driving stroke of the driving blade which serves to strip the leading fastener from the stick also accomplishes penetration of the legs of the staple into the workpiece to which the staple is to be applied.

The present invention contemplates a stick type package of fasteners which is adapted to be applied by stapling type devices or tools in the manner indicated above in which each fastener within the stick includes parallel work penetrating leg portions for applying the fastener to a first workpiece and a second workpiece engaging and securing portion or section rendering the fastener capable of securing the two workpieces together. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener stick package of the type described in which the fasteners thereof have improved means for engaging and securing an apertured workpiece.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved fastener in a stick package of the type described having converging arm portions connected at their converging ends by an integral tip portion and at their opposite ends with a pair of relatively short generally parallel aperture wall engaging portions, the arm portions having fingers struck therefrom for engaging the adjacent surface of an apertured workpiece in response to the relative movement between the fastener and the workpiece wherein the wall engaging portions of the fastener are moved into operative engagement with the wall of the aperture of the workpiece.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved fastener in a fastener package of the type described which is simple in construction, effective in operation and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

ln the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fastener package embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a single fastener of the package;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the fastener shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the fastener disposed in operative engagement with two workpieces.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. l a fastener package, generally indicated at 10, embodying the principles of the present invention. The package comprises a plurality of separate, similarly constructed fasteners, generally indicated at 12, which are formed of strip metal or the like, as for example, galvanized low carbon steel staple wire, of generally flat rectangular cross-sectional configuration having a width substantially greater than its thickness.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each fastener l2 comprises a pair of generally parallel clinchable leg portions 14. Each leg portion 14 includes a free end 16 which may be provided with any work penetrating construction. As shown, the free ends of the legs are of straight cut configuration, although it will be understood that they may be of angular cut configuration, either in the direction of thickness or in the direction of the width of the material or both, with such angular cut of both legs being either of parallel inclination or opposite inclination with respect to each other.

The opposite-`ends of the leg portions I4 have integrally joined therewith connecting portions 18 which extend generally inwardly toward each other and terminate in spaced relation with respect to each other. Preferably, each connecting portion 18 is disposed at an angle with respect to the associated leg portion 14 which is slightly less than 90 so as to dispose the inner end thereof in a plane which is closer to the plane of the free ends 16 than the outer end of the connecting portion 18. In the embodiment shown the included angle between each leg portion I4 and the associated connecting portion 18 is ofthe order of 83').

The spaced inner ends of the connecting portions I8 are integrally joined with relatively short aperture wall engaging` portions 20 which extend therefrom in a direction opposed to` the direction of extent of the leg portions, the portions 20 being disposed generally parallel to each other. The opposite ends of the wall engaging portions 20 are integrally joined with arm portions 22 which extend therefrom in converging relation with respect to each other. The converging ends of the arm portions are integrally joined by an arcuate tip portion 24. The angle of convergence of the arm portions 22 is an acute angle less then 45, a preferred angle ofthe order of 20 being shown in the drawings.

Each arm portion 22 has struck thetefrom a finger 26, one end of which is integrally joined with the associated arm portion 22 adjacent the tip portion 24 and the opposite end being free and defining a workpiece engaging edge 28 disposed in spaced relation to the adjacent wall engaging portion 20 and connecting portion 18. As shown, each finger 26 is bent outwardly from the associated arm portion 22 at its integrally connected end, as indicated at 30, the main portion of the finger being straight and extending in parallel relation to the associated arm portion 22.

It will be understood that the variousportions 14, 18, 20, 22 and 24 of each fastener 12 are formedl by bending a flat strip of metal having side edge surfaces32 disposed in parallel planes. The various bends are made in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the strips so that the side edge surfaces 32 are maintained in parallel planes when the fastener is completely fabricated. In this regard, it will be noted that, as shown, the fingers 26 are preferably struck from the arm portions so as to include opposite side edge surfaces of the strip although, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to strike the fingers from the arm portions so as to include the same side edge surfaces of the strip or from the central part of the strip.

It will be noted that in the construction shown the edge surface of each finger 26 defining a side edge surface of the fastener is not displaced from the plane of the associated side edge surface of the fastener. With this construction, a plurality of fasteners l2 can be disposed in row formation to form the package with adjacent side edge surfaces 32 of adjacent fasteners in substantial abutting relation and with the fasteners in aligned coextensive relation. Any conventional means may be utilized to secure the plurality of fasteners 12 in row formation, as for example, a suitable cement 34 or the like applied to the exterior surface of the tip portions and to the adjacent exterior surfaces of the connecting and leg portions 18 and 14 as indicated at 36.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 4, in operation, a package 10 of fasteners 12 is loaded within a conventional magazine of a power operated fastener applying tool (not shown) having a bifurcated driver to accommodate the locking section of the fasteners. In accordance with conventional practice, the magazine assembly includes a spring pressed pusher which engages the`trailing end of the fastener stick package 10 and serves to resiliently urge the leading fastener 12 within the drive track of the device. During the work stroke of the driver of the device, the leading fastener 12 is stripped from the package 10 by engagement of the bifurcated driving end thereof with the connecting portions 18, thus stripping the leading fastener from the package in a direction corresponding to the parallel planes of the side edge surfaces 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the free ends 16 of the leg portions 14 of the leading fastener l2 are then driven into penetrating relation with a first workpiece, indicated at 38, which may be in the form of a window molding strip. As shown, the leg portions penetrate through the workpiece until the inner end surfaces of the connecting portions 18 facing in the direction of the free ends 16 engage the adjacent surface of the workpiece. The extremities of the leg portions 14 which extend beyond the opposite surface of the workpiece 38 are then bent inwardly, as by the clinching anvil of the device, to thereby securely apply the fastener 12 to the workpiece 38. It will be noted that during this clinching operation, the outer ends of the connecting portions 18 are deflected or pulled downwardly so that the connecting portions engage the flat surface of the workpiece 38 throughout their lengths, thus insuring a tight and accurate lock.

When a sufficient number of fasteners l2 have been applied to the workpiece 38 in properly spaced relation, the fasteners 12 applied to the workpiece 38 are then engaged through apertures 40 formed in a second workpiece 42, which may be in the form of an apertured window frame or the like. The tip portion 24 of each fastener is initially engaged within an associated aperture 40 and then the arm portions 22 of the fastener applied to the workpiece 38 are moved inwardly of the aperture. During this movement the walls of the aperture 40 will engage the fingers 26 deflecting them inwardly until such point as the leading surface of the workpiece 42 is engaged by the opposite surface of the connecting portions 18, at which point, the wall defining the aperture 4 0 is in engagement with the aperture wall engaging portions and the ends 28 of fingers 26 spring outwardly by virtue of the inherent resiliency of the metal and their integral connection at their opposite ends with the arm portions 22. As shown in FIG. 4 the finger ends 28 thus engage the adjacent surface of the workpiece 42 and serve to securely lock the workpiece 42 together with the workpiece 38 to which each fastener 12 was applied.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. lt will be realized, however, that the foregoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for the purpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and is subject to extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim: l. In a package of the type comprising a plurality of separate similarly constructed fasteners each formed of strip metal or the like having edge surfaces defining the width of the fastener disposed in parallel planes spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the strip thickness and means securing said fasteners together in coextensive row formation with adjacent edge surfaces of adjacent fasteners in substantially abutting relation for successive removal from the row formation by a stripping action applied in the direction of said parallel planes, the improvement which comprises each of said fasteners comprising a pair of generally parallel clinchable leg portions having similarly facing free ends constructed to penetrate a first workpiece by movement in the direction of said stripping action, the opposite ends of said leg portions having integral connecting portions extending therefrom in a direction generally toward each other and terminating in spaced relation with respect to each other, said connecting portions having surfaces facing in the direction of the free ends of said leg portions for engaging the surface of the first workpiece penetrated thereby and oppositely facing surfaces for engaging the surface of a second apertured workpiece, the spaced ends of said connecting portions having integral aperture wall engaging portions extending therefrom in generally parallel relation with respect to each other in an opposite direction from the direction of extent of said leg portions, said aperture wall engaging portions having integral arm portions extending in said opposite direction therefrom in converging relation with respect to each other, said arm portions being integrally joined by a tip portion, each of said arm portions having a finger struck therefrom which is integrally joined at one end adjacent said tip portion and extends therefrom to a free end disposed in spaced relation to the associated aperture wall engaging portion and connecting portion in directions such that the free ends of said fingers will engage the opposite surface of said second workpiece adjacent the aperture thereof in response to a relative movement between the fastener and said second workpiece sufficient to dispose the aperture wall engaging portions and said connecting portions respectively in operative engagement with said second workpiece.

2. The improvement as defined in claim l wherein the included angle between each connecting portion and associated leg portion is of the order of 83.

3. The improvement as defined in claim l wherein said arm portions are straight and define an included angle therebetween of the order of 20.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said fingers is straight and disposed in parallel relation to the associated arm portion.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said fingers are struck from said arm portions to include opposite edge surface thereof.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein the included angle between each connecting portion and associated leg portion is of the order of 83.

7. The improvement as defined in claim I wherein said fingers are struck from said arm portions to include opposite edge surfaces thereof. 

1. In a package of the type comprising a plurality of separate similarly constructed fasteners each formed of strip metal or the like having edge surfaces defining the width of the fastener disposed in parallel planes spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the strip thickness and means securing said fasteners together in coextensive row formation with adjacent edge surfaces of adjacent fasteners in substantially abutting relation for successive removal from the row formation by a stripping action applied in the direction of said parallel planes, the improvement which comprises each of said fasteners comprising a pair of generally parallel clinchable leg portions having similarly facing free ends constructed to penetrate a first workpiece by movement in the direction of said stripping action, the opposite ends of said leg portions having integral connecting portions extending therefrom in a direction generally toward each other and terminating in spaced relation with respect to each other, said connecting portions having surfaces facing in the direction of the free ends of said leg portions for engaging the surface of the first workpiece penetrated thereby and oppositely facing surfaces for engaging the surface of a second apertured workpiece, the spaced ends of said connecting portions having integral aperture wall engaging portions extending therefrom in generally parallel relation with respect to each other in an opposite direction from the direction of extent of said leg portions, said aperture wall engaging portions having integral arm portions extending in said opposite direction therefrom in converging relation with respect to each other, said arm portions being integrally joined by a tip portion, each of said arm portions having a finger struck therefrom which is integrally joined at one end adjacent said tip portion and extends therefrom to a free end disposed in spaced relation to the associated aperture wall engaging portion and connecting portion in directions such that the free ends of said fingers will engage the opposite surface of said second workpiece adjacent the aperture thereof in response to a relative movement between the fastener and said second workpiece sufficient to dispose the aperture wall engaging portions and said connecting portioNs respectively in operative engagement with said second workpiece.
 2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the included angle between each connecting portion and associated leg portion is of the order of 83*.
 3. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said arm portions are straight and define an included angle therebetween of the order of 20*.
 4. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said fingers is straight and disposed in parallel relation to the associated arm portion.
 5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said fingers are struck from said arm portions to include opposite edge surface thereof.
 6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein the included angle between each connecting portion and associated leg portion is of the order of 83*.
 7. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said fingers are struck from said arm portions to include opposite edge surfaces thereof. 